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Arts & Entertainment

Helicopter Showcase at Air Museum; Spanish Guitar in Windsor; Global Affairs at Bushnell

Enrich your life, September 29 – October 5, 2011

X2 Helicopter Showcased at New England Air Museum

In 2010, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation's X2 helicopter was awarded the Collier Trophy, an annual award given by the National Aeronautic Association in recognition of the year's greatest achievement in aeronautic excellence. On October 1 and 2, visitors to the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks can see a demonstration model of the helicopter close up. The state-of-the-art, single-pilot aircraft set an unofficial speed record of 250 knots for level helicopter flight. 

Viewing of the X2 is free with regular museum admission. Sikorsky employees and their families enter free on October 1 and 2; company ID required. The New England Air Museum is at 36 Perimeter Road, Windsor Locks. For more information, visit www.neam.org or call 860-623-3305

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Guitarist Returns to Windsor Arts Center

Spanish-style guitar seasoned with rock, blues and jazz is on slate at the Windsor Art Center in Windsor when New York-based guitarist Kelly Birtch makes a return appearance on October 6. For more information on Birtch, visit www.kellybirtch.com.

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Concert time is 6:30 p.m. Suggested donation is $10 at the door. The Windsor Art Center is at the corner of Central and Mechanic streets in Windsor. For more information, visit www.windsorartcenter.org or call 860-688-2528.

Beer Tasting at Noah Webster

On October 6, West Hartford's Noah Webster House opens its doors for a tasting of select suds – Brooklyn Lager from Brooklyn Brewery in New York, and Harpoon ales, which are produced by Harpoon, which has breweries in Boston and Windsor, Vermont. Brooklyn Lager is one of the top draft beers in New York City. Harpoon has become the second largest annual producer of beer in the United States, second only to Anheuser-Busch.

Starting time is 7 p.m. Tickets cost $12. Attendees must be at least 21 years old. A valid ID is required at the door. All funds raised benefit the Noah Webster House and the West Hartford Historical Society. the event is sponsored by Wine Cellars 4 of Farmington. The Noah Webster House is at 227 South Main St., West Hartford. For more information, visit www.noahwebsterhouse.org or call 860-521-5362.

October Road Autumn Concert in Farmington

Music of the harvest season is performed at the October Road concert to be held October 1 at the Hoppin Gallery at Barney Library in Farmington. The event is hosted by the Stanley-Whitman House of Farmington. Vocalist Michael McDermott, pianist John DiNicola, guitarist Susan Mazur, and cellist Celeste Cumming perform.

Concert time is 7 p.m. Tickets cost $15 and include a complementary glass of wine or cider. Reservations are required. The Barney Library is at 71 Main St., Farmington. For more information, visit www.stanleywhitman.org.

Hay Day at Hill-Stead

Build your own scarecrow, search for treasure in a haystack, hitch a ride on a horse-drawn hay wagon, enjoy live music, craft activities, homemade treats, and more when Farmington's Hill-Stead Museum presents its annual fall favorite, Hay Day, on October 2. Also 

The event runs from noon to 4 p.m. Some nominal program and material fees apply. The Hill-Stead is at 35 Mountain Road, Farmington. For more information, visit www.hillstead.org or call 860-677-4787.

Roaring Brook Begins New Concert Season

As temperatures begin to cool in New England, Roaring Brook Nature Center heats things up with their 32nd concert season. First in the season lineup is River City Slim & the Zydeco Hogs, which brings the steaming hot sounds of the Crescent City to the Northeast on October 1.

The evening starts at 7:15 p.m. with an introduction and review of zydeco dance with Jim & Madeline Christensen of WWUH 91.3. The band starts shortly after. Admission costs $15 in advance, $17 at the door. Roaring Brook Nature Center is at 70 Gracey Road, Canton. Visit www.roaringbrookconcerts.org.

Animation at CT Science Center

Interested enough in animation to want to learn more? On October 1, the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford unveils a new exhibition: Animation, which invites viewers to explore, question and experiment with the art of animation. Designed to appeal to all ages, the exhibit explores the animation process from concept to finished product – from story-boarding, character design, and drawing techniques to movement, timing, filming, and sound. It also delves into the history of animation. Larger-than-life graphics from the Cartoon Network provide engaging visual aids.

Animation runs through March 4. The Connecticut Science Center is at 250 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford. For more information, visit www.ctsciencecenter.org or call 860-SCIENCE (or 860-724-3623).

Global Affairs: A World of Revolution at CT Forum

The event is a Connecticut Forum panel discussion. The panelists are: Tom Ridge, first secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Anne-Marie Slaughter, former director of policy planning for the State Department, and Robin Wright, a foreign affairs expert and award-winning journalist. The three come together to discuss global affairs on stage on October 1 at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford. Michel Martin, host of WNPR's Tell Me More, is host.

Starting time is 8 p.m. Tickets range from $25 to $60. To purchase, visit www.ctforum.orgThe Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts is at 166 Capitol Ave., Hartford. For tickets and more information, visit www.bushnell.org or call the box office at 860-987-5900

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